Bipolar - The Field Has Grown Up

I indicated to them that the Bipolar Conference I would be attending would not have the same emphasis on brain science.

Allow me to correct that false impression right now. Dr Manji and others took us inside the neuron. Dr Phillips and others showed us how identifiable roadblocks along precisely mapped brain pathways interfere with our ability to respond rationally in response to specific events. And Nick Craddock of Cardiff University actually had a gene he could show us.

Okay, none of this is going to translate into anything you can use right now, but the starting point in our recovery begins with self-knowledge and that includes insight into our illness. We don’t need to know the fine points of genes and neurons, but it will help us tremendously if we have a basic knowledge of what is going on inside our brains. For me, this knowledge has translated into a number of key recovery techniques I employ. Essentially, modern brain science is validating ancient recovery techniques.

Trust me, brain science has informed me in my conversations with you over the years, even on issues that supposedly have nothing to do with brain science. To me, this isn't just esoteric stuff that only geeks are interested in. This is vital information we can be applying right now to our own recovery.

Next week: Back to issues that you bring to the table.